Agri-environmental diversification: Linking environmental, forestry and renewable energy engagement on Scottish farms. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sutherland, Lee-Ann; Toma, Luiza; Barnes, Andrew P.; Matthews, Keith B.; Hopkins, Jon
• Is Part Of: Journal of rural studies. Volume 47(2017)Part A
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 20
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Post-productivism -- Multifunctionality -- Agri-environmental schemes -- Farm household adjustment -- Single Farm Payment; Sociology, Rural -- Periodicals; Country life -- Periodicals; Rural development -- Periodicals; Land use, Rural -- Planning -- Periodicals; Rural conditions -- Periodicals; Sociologie rurale -- Périodiques; Vie rurale -- Périodiques; Développement rural -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation agricole du -- Planification -- Périodiques; Conditions rurales -- Périodiques; Country life; Land use, Rural -- Planning; Rural conditions; Rural development; Sociology, Rural; Periodicals; 307.72
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2016.07.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0743-0167

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper we broaden the debate on agri-environmental scheme participation to include farm woodland expansion and renewable energy production, developing a conceptualisation of 'agri-environmental diversification'. Utilising structural equation modelling, we assess a telephone survey of 2416 Scottish farmers, undertaken in 2013. Findings demonstrate the path dependencies of farming participants, with those already engaged in each of these activities the most likely to plan to be involved in future. Similar factors have influenced the uptake of all three activities since 2005, and intention to increase involvement by 2020. Farmers who are: younger, better educated, information-seeking, certified as organic, receive subsidies, have non-farming income and plan to continue farming in the medium term, are more likely to plan for future engagement in the three activities. Environmental attitudes are also important, but a stronger relationship was found between observation of environmental gains from agri-environmental schemes and the three forms of agri-environmental diversification, suggesting that scheme involvement enables farmers to learn to produce, recognise and value environmental goods. We argue that when assessed within the broader perspective of agri-environmental diversification, agri-environmental scheme participation may represent an initial step on a farming trajectory that involves multiple forms of agri-environmental engagement. Highlights: We develop a conceptualisation of agri-environmental diversification (AED). Environmental (AE) schemes, afforestation and renewable energy represent AED. Farmers with similar characteristics adopt the three forms of AED. Having seen env. benefits of AE schemes was more important than env. values. Successful AE scheme participation may lead to forestry and energy production.